Proposed new design for IFC Center via Kliment Halsbard Architects for Landmarks
At a time when independent movie theaters are closing all over New York, it is heartening to hear about the expansion planned for the IFC Center at 323-325 Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village. It will bring more theaters, an improved concession stand, and a larger interior lounge that will improve the moviegoing experience. The new design was approved in November 2015, but a recent BSA variance review has resulted in a programmatic change. The change and its location in the Greenwich Village Historic District Extension II sends it back to the Landmarks Preservation Commission tomorrow.
The design by Kliment Halsband Architects brings a new, five-story brick and glass building to the vacant lot behind the building at 14-16 Cornelia Street to expand the theater to 948 seats, 11 screens, and a total of 20,000 square feet. While the main entrance will stay on Sixth Avenue, a lobby lounge will overlook Greenwich Village’s historic Cornelia Street. The November 2015 hearing found the new building supportive of the special architecture and historic character of the streetscape and the historic district.
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Following the BSA variance review, though, four residential apartments are now planned for the new building instead of the planned movie screens. As a result, the frosted fixed glass windows on these floors have been changed to operable and clear. A residential entrance and lobby has also been added to the north end of the façade. Permits have not yet been filed for the residential component of the building.
Proposed design (l) and 14-16 Cornelia Street (r) via Kliment Halsband Architects for Landmarks
As for the Sixth Avenue side, a new integrated façade is planned. The angled mesh metal screens and flood lighting will be removed, but the original marquee and canopy will stay in place. The entrance and exit doors will be relocated, and the stucco façade will be repaired and repainted. Moreover, the movie screens previously planned for 14-16 Cornelia Street will be moved to a new rooftop addition at 327 Sixth Avenue. This will match the height of 329 Sixth Avenue and be composed of brick and frosted glass elements similar to those on Cornelia Street. A Landmarks presentation notes that this new design will be more appropriate to the historic streetscape.
Waverly Theater via Kliment Halsband Architects for Landmarks
IFC Center circa 2012 via Kliment Halsband
The expansion represents the latest chapter in the history of 323 Sixth Avenue, which was originally built as a church in the 1850s. It converted to the Waverly Theater in 1937, which served as a neighborhood institution for decades to follow. The Waverly became the IFC Center, “the ultimate space for New Yorkers seeking the best in independent film,” in 2005 after an extensive renovation. In the wake of the closings of the Landmark Sunshine Cinema and Lincoln Plaza Cinema in January 2018, the IFC Center is one of the last sanctuaries for city cinephiles.
IFC Center rendering via Kliment Halsband Architects for Landmarks
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Michelle Mazzarella
Michelle is a contributing writer and editor for real estate news in New York City
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